7 Cruise Mistakes to Avoid Before Your Next Sailing

Cruising can be one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to travel. You unpack once, wake up somewhere new and have your accommodation, entertainment and dining all in one place.

However, a few simple mistakes can make a cruise far more stressful or expensive than it needs to be.

Some of these are mistakes we have made ourselves. Others are things we have seen fellow passengers struggle with. Either way, they are all worth knowing before you step onboard.

Here are seven cruise mistakes to avoid on your next sailing.

1. Travelling to the port on embarkation day

One of the biggest cruise mistakes you can make is leaving your journey to the port until the morning your ship departs.

A delayed flight, cancelled train or motorway closure could leave you watching the ship sail without you. Cruise ships normally operate to strict departure schedules and will not wait because your journey was delayed.

For cruises departing from another country, we would always recommend arriving at least one day before embarkation. It gives you some breathing space and lets you start the holiday feeling relaxed rather than panicked.

Even for UK departures, consider the distance, likely traffic and what alternatives you would have if something went wrong.

Paying for one night in a hotel can feel like an unnecessary extra, but it is usually much cheaper than trying to catch up with a ship in another port.

2. Choosing a cruise based only on price

A cheap cruise is not automatically a good-value cruise.

Before booking, look beyond the headline price and consider what the overall holiday will actually cost.

Check whether the fare includes:

• Drinks
• Wi-Fi
• Gratuities
• Speciality dining
• Excursions
• Room service
• Transfers
• Entertainment and onboard activities

You should also think about the type of experience the cruise line offers.

A large resort-style ship may have endless entertainment, waterslides and dining venues. A smaller luxury or expedition ship may offer a quieter atmosphere, more personal service and destination-focused experiences.

Neither is automatically better. The important thing is choosing the right cruise for you.

A bargain can quickly become an expensive disappointment if the ship, itinerary or atmosphere is completely wrong for the holiday you wanted.

3. Booking the wrong cabin

Most people initially think about whether they want an inside, ocean-view or balcony cabin.

The actual location of the cabin can be just as important.

Before booking, check the deck plans and look at what is directly above, below and beside the cabin. A room underneath the pool deck, nightclub, theatre or buffet could be noisier than expected.

Other things to consider include:

• Distance from lifts and staircases
• Long walks on very large ships
• Obstructed balcony views
• Cabins near crew access areas
• Connecting doors
• Forward or aft movement in rough seas
• Proximity to restaurants or entertainment

If you are prone to seasickness, a cabin lower down and closer to the middle of the ship may feel more stable.

Do not assume that paying more guarantees a better cabin. A well-positioned inside cabin can sometimes be a better choice than a badly located balcony.

4. Assuming everything is included

Cruise holidays are often advertised as excellent value, and they can be. However, what is included varies enormously between cruise lines and fare types.

Some cruises include meals, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and excursions. Others may charge separately for most of those things.

Before booking, check exactly what your fare covers.

It is also worth researching the cost of any extras you are likely to want. A drinks package, speciality dining, internet access and excursions can add hundreds of pounds to the final holiday cost.

Do not rely solely on phrases such as “all-inclusive” or “luxury”. Read the actual inclusions carefully.

This is particularly important when comparing two cruise lines. A more expensive fare may offer better overall value if it includes things you would otherwise purchase separately.

5. Overplanning every day

It is tempting to fill every day with excursions, restaurant bookings, shows and activities.

The problem is that you can end up returning home more exhausted than when you left.

Some of the best cruise moments are often unplanned. You might spot wildlife from the deck, discover a quiet bar, meet other passengers or simply enjoy the scenery while the ship sails.

Booking important activities in advance can be sensible, especially if they are likely to sell out. Just avoid creating a schedule with no room to breathe.

You do not need to complete every activity listed in the daily programme to get your money’s worth.

A cruise is still a holiday.

6. Putting everything in your checked luggage

At the cruise terminal, your larger suitcases will usually be taken away and delivered to your cabin later.

That delivery may take several hours.

Keep anything important in your hand luggage, including:

• Passports and travel documents
• Medication
• Phone chargers
• Valuables
• Swimwear
• Sun cream
• A change of clothes
• Anything needed for the first evening

You do not want to spend embarkation day unable to use the pool, charge your phone or take essential medication because everything is still somewhere inside the ship.

You may also want to keep your evening outfit with you if you have an early dinner reservation.

7. Trying to do absolutely everything

Modern cruise ships can offer an overwhelming amount to do.

There may be several restaurants, multiple shows, live music, quizzes, parties, fitness classes and activities taking place every day.

Trying to experience all of it can quickly turn the holiday into a checklist.

You will probably miss something. That is completely normal.

Choose the experiences that matter most to you and allow yourself to enjoy them properly. You have not wasted the cruise because you skipped a show or did not eat in every restaurant.

The best cruise is not the one where you completed the most activities. It is the one you genuinely enjoyed.

Plan ahead, but leave room to enjoy it

Most cruise mistakes can be avoided with a little research before booking and some sensible planning before departure.

Check your travel arrangements, understand your fare, research the cabin and keep the essential items with you on embarkation day.

Then, once you are onboard, give yourself permission to relax.

We discuss all seven mistakes in our latest Sailmates video, including the lessons we have learned from our own cruises.

Watch: Don’t Make These 7 Cruise Mistakes (We Did!)

Have you made any of these mistakes? Let us know in the comments, along with the one piece of advice you would give to a first-time cruiser.